Priya Mistry

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BOSSES at Queen Alexandra Hospital say they do not foresee a new £70m children’s hospital in Southampton being a threat to services in Portsmouth.

Southampton Children’s Hospital, which is due to open in 2020, will be part of the existing Southampton General Hospital.

PLANS An artist's impression of the new Southampton Children's Hospital

It will bring together paediatric services currently spread out across the Tremona Road site all under one roof.

It will provide specialist care for babies, children, and teenagers.

The service has been welcomed by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs QA in Cosham.

It has said the new facility should not affect services offered by the hospital.

Medical director for PHT Simon Holmes said: ‘At present, we do not foresee this causing any problems to the services already provided in Portsmouth. We’re working closely with our paediatrician colleagues in Southampton.

‘Together we provide many services to children and young people, who in some instances might be treated at both hospital sites depending on their clinical need.

‘We welcome the investment and improvements that will be offered to the area to further develop the excellent maternity services already found in the south. It’s important that good quality care is provided close to a patient’s home. Together we can ensure this provision is available for people.’

The facility will be one of only a handful of UK specialist hospitals for young people.

It will have its own dedicated children’s accident and emergency department, a Ronald McDonald house which can house the families of up to 60 poorly children, and a world-class paediatric intensive care unit.

The hospital is also being cautiously welcomed by patient-support group Portsmouth Link.

Chairman Terry Carter said: ‘I agree with the hospital in principle, but I don’t know how it will affect QA.’